Deacon made his professional debut four days before his 18th birthday

Wigan Warriors player-coach Paul Deacon has said he is concentrating on playing in his first year at the club.

The ex-Bradford scrum-half has been appointed by new head coach Michael Maguire as an assistant.

He told BBC Radio Manchester: "My official title is player-coach but certainly, for the first year I'm here, playing is my main aim.

"Michael has said that - to concentrate on playing first and foremost then fit in a little coaching role around that."

The 30-year-old had 12 months left on his contract with the Bulls but was released after they signed Australian half-back Matt Orford from Manly.

He will mentor Wigan's 20-year-old England half-back Sam Tomkins and go full-time on the Wigan coaching staff from 2011, specialising in the kicking talents for which he made his name.

In 2006 he broke Bradford's points and goals records, held by Keith Mumby, kicking a total of 1,140 goals and scoring 2,609 points in his 12 seasons at Odsal.

He played in all five of Bradford's consecutive Grand Final appearances and won 11 caps for Great Britain.

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